Terms and Conditions

Payment policy

A deposit of a minimum of 20% of the total price of a trip is required to confirm a booking.  Deposits are refundable until 120 days prior to the date a trip begins.  Balance amounts are due at the same time, and are refundable until 90 days prior to the date a trip begins.  Payment and refund deadlines for our 2012 and 2013 itineraries are as follows:

2012

Beluga whales - 'Belugas, wildflowers, birds and bears'

2 August - 9 August, 2012 - deposits will be refundable until 2 April, 2012, balance due 2 April, 2012, balance refundable until 2 May, 2012.

Spirit bears - 'White bears of the Great Bear Rainforest'

10 – 17 September, 2012 - deposits will be refundable until 10 May, 2012, balance due 10 May, 2012, balance refundable until 10 June, 2012.
16 – 23 September, 2012 - deposits will be refundable until 16 May, 2012, balance due 16 May, 2012, balance refundable until 16 June, 2012.

2013

Svalbard - 'Svalbard - Archipelago of the ice bear'

3 – 13 June, 2013 - deposits will be refundable until 3 February, 2013, balance due 3 February, 2013, balance refundable until 3 March, 2013.
13 – 23 June, 2013 - deposits will be refundable until 13 February, 2013, balance due 13 February, 2013, balance refundable until 13 March, 2013.,
24 June – 4 July, 2013 - deposits will be refundable until 24 February, 2013, balance due 24 February, 2013, balance refundable until 24 March, 2013.

Prices for the beluga whale and Spirit bear trips are in Canadian Dollars, and those for Svalbard are listed in Pounds Sterling.  We will accept equivalent payments in either currency and in US and Australian Dollars.  Payments may be submitted by personal or cashier's cheque or by direct bank transfer, upon request.

Insurance

All providers involved with the Belugas, wildflowers, birds and bears and White bears of the Great Bear Rainforest trips carry insurance, however, guests are encouraged to take out travel insurance of their own, to cover accident, injury or illness not associated with a trip's activities.  It is recommended that any insurance should cover cancellation beyond the dates listed above, and medical care in British Columbia or Manitoba, whichever applies.

In the event of accident, injury or illness not associated with a trip's activities, Canadians will be able to use their health cards to cover care, dependent on recognition of their home province's health care programme in British Columbia or Manitoba.  Non-Canadians will have access to care either by appointment or upon reception in an emergency room, for a fee, but are advised to have adequate travel insurance to ensure cover and moderate potential costs.